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Clean Energy Jobs NewsletterApril 2, 2012, Volume 20

WHAT CLEAN ENERGY JOBS? THESE CLEAN ENERGY JOBS!

Please find below Volume 20 of E2’s weekly wrap-up of job announcements and project developments in the clean economy. Compiled from news sources around the country, this week’s clean energy jobs report highlights a number of wind and energy efficiency projects throughout the nation.

The Southeast region led this week in the number of jobs created. 2G CENERGY announced that it is going to establish a US based plant to produce the company’s advanced CHP (combined heat & power) clean energy power generation systems, bringing 125 new direct jobs to the St. Augustine, Florida area. Florida East Coast Industries is planning to develop a $1 billion rail project, connecting the 200-mile corridor between Cocoa and Miami, and 40 miles of new track, connecting Orlando to the main track. The company estimates that the project will create 6,000 construction jobs and 1,000 full-time jobs to Florida’s economy.

Electric Vehicles projects also continuing to create jobs. In Auburn Hills, MI, Teijin Advanced Composites America announced plans to build a new $7.9 million application development center. The project is expected to create 25 new full-time jobs. Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, announced plans to build a new facility that will focus on: human machine interfaces, vehicle sound systems, and electronics for electric-hybrid vehicles. The project received $500,000 from the Business Development Program, and could create up to 60 full-time jobs.

Read below for more details on the 13 new job announcements in 6 states from this week’s report. To view previous issues of this newsletter, click here.

Teijin Advanced Composites America plans to invest up to $7.9 million to build a new application development center in Auburn Hills; the state is offering the company a $375,000 incentive as a result of the company’s plans to create 25 new jobs.

Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America plans to invest $8.16 million to build a new research and development center in Farmington Hills, MI; the focus of the new facility will be: human machine interfaces, vehicle sound systems, and electronics for electric-hybrid vehicles; the project received a $500,000 Business Development Program.

DTE Energy announced plans to build a new $250 million wind farm in Michigan’s Sanilac and Huron counties; the 110.4MW project would consist of 69 turbines; the project is part of the state’s effort to have at least 10% of their energy come from renewable resources by 2015.

Focus on Energy announced the launch of a new Appliance Recycling Program, designed to encourage Wisconsin residents to get rid of their old, inefficient appliances; the programs new recycling facility adds 18 new green jobs to the local economy.

EDP Renewables North America proposed the construction of a $110 million wind farm in the town of Madison, NY; the 36 wind turbine project will generate 57MW, while creating 300 construction jobs and 8 full-time jobs.

2G CENERGY announced that it is establishing a U.S. production operation in St. Augustine, Florida; the facility will produce the company’s advanced CHP (combined heat & power) clean energy power generation systems; the new plant will bring 125 direct jobs to the area.

Florida East Coast Industries announced plans to develop a passenger train line connecting the 200-mile corridor between Cocoa and Miami; the $1 billion project would also include construction of 40 miles of new track to connect Orlando to the main track; the project is expected to be ready in 2014.

SolarReserve announced that it has received the necessary permit from Saguache County Board of County Commissioners to build two solar thermal plants in Colorado; the two 100MW plants will generate enough energy to power 140,000 homes; it is expected to generate 900 construction jobs and 100 full-time jobs.

Pattern Energy announced that its Ocotillo Express LLC Wind Energy farm has been approved by the Imperial County Planning Commission, and construction is expected to start in May 2012; the 112 wind turbines will generate 356.5MW, enough to power 140,000 homes in San Diego; $442 million will be generated in revenue to the county over the life of the project.

The California Public Utilities Commission announced that it will invest $100 million over the next 4 years, to have NRG Energy build an electric vehicle charging network in California; the project will consists of 200 public fast-charging stations and 10,000 plug-in units at 1,000 locations in the San Francisco Bay area, the San Joaquin Valley, the Los Angeles Basin and San Diego County.

NOTE: Each of these job numbers were culled from publicly available announcements of new clean energy ventures. "Status" is used to informally categorize the stage of development of a project, with "in operation" meaning a energy project that has gone live, or a manufacturing facility that is on line. "In Progress" is used for any project in construction or any program just starting, and "Announced" captures those projects in earlier stages of development. Inclusion in this newsletter is not an indication of E2 support for any individual project.

Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) is a national community of business leaders who promote sound environmental policy that builds economic prosperity. E2 is the independent business voice for the environment. We provide a non-partisan resource for understanding the business perspective on environmental issues. Working with our public and private partners, E2 shapes state and national policy that's good for the economy and good the environment. www.E2.org